THE Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Inc (MBINS) which provides strategic support and partnership opportunities in the state that align with Malaysia’s economic goals has today (June 24) inked two significant agreements with SD Guthrie Bhd (formerly Sime Darby Plantation Bhd).
The event marked a key milestone for the development of the Port Dickson Free Zone (PDFZ), a cornerstone project within the Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0).
The first agreement involves the sales and purchase (S&P) of about 300 acres of strategically located land within SD Guthrie’s Sengkang Estate in Mukim Pasir Panjang, Port Dickson.
Concurrently, MBINS and SD Guthrie have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop an additional 300 acres within the same strategic area.
Collectively, these agreements represent the first two critical phases of the ambitious PDFZ project which is a comprehensive industrial zone covering around 1,420 acres in total.
This industrial area is envisioned to host modern warehouses, advanced manufacturing plants, logistics facilities and essential public infrastructure, that are poised to enhance Negeri Sembilan’s economic landscape.
Strategically aligned with resort-centric property developer Tanco Holdings Bhd’s upcoming Smart AI Container Port (Midport) located adjacent to PDFZ, this development underscores Negeri Sembilan’s ambition to emerge as a key logistics and maritime hub under the MVV 2.0 initiative.
Under an earlier joint venture-cum shareholders agreement, MBINS and Tanco Land Sdn Bhd (TLSB) – an indirect subsidiary of Tanco Holdings – will jointly undertake the development of these initial 600 acres.
MBINS and Tanco Holdings will strategically evaluate various value-unlocking opportunities.
Potential development strategies include further joint ventures, direct developments, targeted land sales and bespoke design-and-build arrangements which are adaptable to future market demands and investor interest.
Negeri Sembilan has increasingly positioned itself as an investment hotspot in recent years by leveraging its proximity to the Klang Valley and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as well as its competitive land pricing.
Recent major foreign investments in the state which include notable multinational corporations in automotive, food technology and electronics sectors have further underlined its attractiveness.
Analysts believe that PDFZ will contribute significantly to the state’s GDP (gross domestic product) and also boost employment, accelerate industrial growth and attract further local and international investments.
This strategic land deal with SD Guthrie represents a critical step in realising these economic goals and underscores Negeri Sembilan’s rising prominence as a key economic hub within Malaysia. – June 24, 2025
